"The announcement comes as a big surprise given the stock has only been listed for 2 months," three Citi broking analysts said in a note.

The chief executive of real estate classifieds group Domain, Antony Catalano, has announced his sudden resignation, citing family reasons. Jesse Marlow

Domain chairman Nick Falloon, who will act as executive chairman while a replacement is sought, said he had accepted Mr Catalano's resignation and he had "decided to put his family first" after struggling to manage the demands of his role, which require him to work from Sydney away from his Melbourne-based family.

Mr Falloon didn't praise Mr Catalano, who has eight children and was crucial to Domain's impressive revival over the past decade.

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Expressing regret

"I understand and regret that the timing of this decision is unusually short from Domain's listing," Mr Catalano said in a statement.

"When I re-joined Fairfax in November 2013, I made a commitment to my young family that I could be there for them and do the job.

"It has become clear to me that doing the job of a listed company CEO the way it needs to be done means that I am not meeting that family commitment.

"As it stands I have been away from home for the bulk of each week and it's not fair on the family."

Antony and his wife Stefanie, top right, with his children. Supplied

Fairfax, the publisher of The Australian Financial Review, holds a 60 per cent stake in Domain.

Affirms revenue forecast

Mr Catalano joined the business in 2013 as the chief executive of Domain, and built it into a business that was worth $2.2 billion when it listed late last year. The company's shares have since fallen slightly.

Mr Falloon said Mr Catalano told the board that "over the Christmas break he had realised that the demands of his role and his absence from the lives of his family were proving more challenging than he had expected".

Mr Falloon said a hunt a global search will now begin for a replacement. Mr Catalano didn't immediately respond to a request for comment.

Domain also re-affirmed its guidance on Monday. It expects total revenue growth of 13 per cent for the December half, with digital revenue tipped to grow 22 per cent. It will report on February 19.

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